VYPE: What made you interested in becoming a baseball manager?
Laynee Thornton: During freshman year, I was in the head coach’s class [Coach McGuire], and he asked my friend and me to become baseball managers.
VYPE: What is something you enjoy about being a manager?
LT: I really enjoy the social aspect of it. If you know me, you know that I talk to anyone and everyone, and I enjoy making new friends.
VYPE: Is this something you would like to pursue as a career?
LT: I’ve seen that colleges have Diamond girls, which I think would be cool, but I want to be a radiology technician, so I think it has little to do with it.
VYPE: Would you consider being a manager for another sport?
LT: I was a basketball manager my freshman year and wouldn’t go back. I love the interactive part of baseball. I keep score, and we have radar guns to measure the pitches. Gamedays are busy and fun because everyone is so hyped.
VYPE: What exactly do you do for the baseball team?
LT: I run game changers, have the pitch count, how many balls, how many strikes, keep score, and put the ball in play.
VYPE: Did you choose to be a JV manager?
LT: Yes, I don’t like the stress of being on varsity. They don’t take it as seriously, so it’s lighter and funnier.
VYPE: Would you choose to be a varsity manager your senior year?
LT: Yes, I would like to be a varsity manager in my last year of high school; I would like to stick with it since I’ve done the past three years.
VYPE: Would you say that there are perks to being a manager?
LT: Definitely. I met my best friend, Lily, and we became close through baseball. She can relate to what I go through since she’s with me. Baseball has helped me grow close to all of those people.
VYPE: Would you say being a manager has helped you grow close to the baseball team?
LT: Yes, I’ve become friends with the boys, and it’s helped many friendships throughout the years.
VYPE: What do you do when the team practices?
LT: We get water, fill the water jug, we go in the office or sit outside and watch them practice.
VYPE: What time do you leave on a regular day?
LT: We are at school until 4:30, 5, or even 6pm, and we stay there until the boys leave.
